Editors' Page 1

Megan Levad is the busiest person to ever volunteer to help someone create, edit, and publish an online literary magazine. A third year student here at the University of Iowa, she is an English Honors student with Art History and Philosophy minors. Besides studying and playing her part in this publication, Megan also volunteers at the Women's Resource and Action Center, is involved with earthwords and has created a number of web pages for the University of Iowa. On the side, Megan works at the Weeg Help Desk. Megan is devoted to perfection yet somehow finds the time to remain a valuable friend to many people. Megan works harder than almost any person I have ever met in my life. And for that, I am glad that she was the person I butted heads with to create this publication, and I am not saying this just because it is two in the morning. -Stephen Patrick Balsley		Watch for a picture of us in future issues--if we ever find one we like!

extra special thanks to: John and Paul or George and Kramer - whichever they may prefer. Our parents. Patient significant others. Brooks Landon, Mary Ann Rasmussen, Tom Simmons, and all the other kickass members of the U of I English Department. All contributors to this first issue. And, last, but not least, Livardo Cafe and the Dublin Underground.		Stephen Patrick Balsley is already well on his way, only two years into college, to becoming the editor-in-chief of the New Yorker. Aside from tirelessly working to produce SMACK!, he is a formidable English Honors student who takes Latin for "fun," is on the earthwords staff, and is planning to publish two print literary magazines this summer in Iowa City, to be distributed by Prairie Lights. Despite all of these activities, Stephen still manages to pull away from his computer and his books (sometimes) to spend time with his many friends. I am supremely thankful for his ceaseless perfectionism coupled with an eye for what's smart, as well as his willingness to teach and learn--the very qualities that made me want to build this publication with him in the first place. Oh, and I'm not just saying this because it's 2:40am and he's sitting right next to me watching Laverne and Shirley as I type. -Megan S. Levad